Tobacco Substitute Composition

ABSTRACT

A recreational smoking composition comprises 15 to 25 weight percent apple pomace as a fibrous substrate; 40 to 55 weight percent glycerin as a humectant and smoking agent; 20 to 30 weight percent fructose as a sweetener; and 3 to 12 weight percent flavor, preservative, and coloring combined. As such the present disclosure is directed to a composition comprising a nicotine-free substitute for tobacco and, more particularly, the composition may be a smoking substitute for tobacco that would otherwise be used in a hookah pipe.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACT

Not applicable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT RE. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK NOTICES

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights and trade dress rights whatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to recreational smoking compositions and, more particularly, to a composition comprising a nicotine-free substitute for tobacco.

BACKGROUND

It is by now well known that tobacco and tobacco products contain a number of harmful ingredients deleterious to one's health, as well as to second and third parties exposed to tobacco by-products due to proximity. Indeed, the toxicity of tobacco products has become well known throughout the world owing to decades of medical and social studies, various drawn-out legal battles, and extensive public information campaigns. In spite of the wide-spread understanding of the known adverse health effects of tobacco and its products, many individuals still choose to partake in the use or consumption of tobacco in many forms.

For instance, one popular method of consuming tobacco is smoking hookah. It has been particularly popular for some due to the communal aspect of sharing a pipe among friends and other associates. Unfortunately, many wrongfully believe that smoking tobacco through a hookah pipe is safer than smoking tobacco in a cigarette or tobacco pipe. In truth, smoking hookah tobacco carries the same, if not further, risks. This misunderstanding may be due in part to the fact that hookah tobacco is frequently treated prior to use to reduce nicotine and other undesirable ingredients. This may be done by soaking the tobacco in water, which draws some of the ingredients out of its leaves, and then discarding such water. Additionally, it is believed that water in a hookah pipe may absorb or filter certain harmful material, such as heavy metals and tar, from the smoke before a user inhales it. This is not the case, however. Indeed, it is said that hookah tobacco smokers inhale as much as 30 times more tobacco smoke as cigarette smokers owing to the relatively long duration of a hookah tobacco-smoking session.

Some tobacco-free smoking products have been introduced in the marketplace in an attempt to make recreational smoking safer. They include a variety of different ingredients related to the fibrous substrate or base material, wetting agents, and even flavoring. Substitutions for the fibrous tobacco substrate may include for example, paper; leaves such as basil, grape, mint and tea; ginseng; and corn silk, among others. More particularly, examples of proposed tobacco substitutes include the following patent documents, incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No. 3,112,754 to Diaz disclosing suspending fibrous material in a mixture of caramelized sucrose, potassium nitrate, calcium carbonate and aromatic and flavorful substances to create a tobacco substitute that reduces tars and nicotine; U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,742 to Rainer et al. teaching a process for the manufacture of synthetic smoking materials out of cellulosic material such as paper; U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,176 to Yoo teaching a combination of Eucommia ulmoides—also known as “Du Zhong”—leaves, licorice root, and mint as a nicotine-free but flavorfully similar substitute for tobacco; and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2014/0069446 filed by Haddad disclosing replacing tobacco with synthetic clay or glass spheres in a hookah smoking system. Still, there remains a need for tobacco alternatives having the advantages of the present invention.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a composition comprising a nicotine-free substitute for tobacco. More particularly the composition may be a smoking substitute for tobacco that would otherwise be used in a hookah pipe.

For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features have been described. It is to be understood that not all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages without achieving all advantages as may be taught or suggested.

In accordance with one embodiment, the composition comprises a natural, nicotine-free fibrous substrate, a sweetener, and a humectant. In some embodiments, the composition may further comprise flavoring in addition to the fibrous substrate, which may itself be selected for its own characteristic flavors, and the sweetener. In some embodiments, the sweetener may be a syrup such as fructose which, in addition to imbuing the composition with desirable flavor, may further moisturize the fibrous substrate and consequently aid generation of plumes of smoke that are commonly associated with hookah smoking.

In some embodiments, the fibrous substrate is apple pomace. It is contemplated that apple pomace may naturally impart a desirable flavor on any smoke generated from the composition and further that the composition will give use to a frequently wasted by-product of certain industries, such as the apple juice and cider industries. Indeed, though regularly discarded, apple pomace is an aromatic residue remaining after processing apples for their juice and may be a rich source of carbohydrate, pectin, crude fiber, and minerals. These characteristics may desirably contribute to the flavor and texture of one's hookah smoking experience.

In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the fibrous substrate may be fermented prior to inclusion in the tobacco substitute composition. More particularly, with respect to the present non-limiting example of apple pomace, the apple pomace may be heated in a water bath, fermented, and dehydrated again prior to use in the composition. It is contemplated that fermenting the fibrous substrate makes use of a natural biochemical process to release certain undesirable flavors imparted by chemicals present in the substrate, such as ammonia. In addition, fermenting the substrate prior to inclusion in the composition may refine desirable flavors naturally present in the fibrous substrate and thus cause such refined flavors to be beneficially imparted on the final tobacco substitute composition. Of course, it should be noted that other processing techniques may be implemented to achieve similar outcomes. Fermenting the fibrous substrate is offered as just one possible example.

In addition, the humectant may be glycerin, alternatively known as glycerine and glycerol, such as vegetable glycerin readily available in the marketplace. Glycerin is known to have a sweet flavor, however, as an odorless and colorless material, it is contemplated that using glycerin as a humectant will not otherwise interfere with the smell, or appearance of the composition.

It is further contemplated that the composition may comprise preservative, which may stave off bacterial growth should the composition be stored prior to use, or even between uses, for some period of time. In some embodiments, however, it may be desirable to eliminate or minimize use of preservatives. Therefore, the ingredient is not necessary to practice the invention.

Similarly, coloring may be added to appeal to the aesthetic interests of intended users. For instance, coloring may be provided so that the composition appears visually similar to tobacco. However, it is understood that additive coloring may be restricted in certain geographic regions, and also may be undesirable as seeming unnatural. Therefore, while coloring may comprise the tobacco substitute composition, its use may be avoided without departing from the invention.

Natural or artificial flavors may also be provided in addition to the natural flavoring of the substrate, humectant, and sweetener. For instance, flavors which complement or enhance any flavors naturally associated with apple pomace may be added to increase the potency of such flavors. This may be additive apple flavoring, for instance. As another example, the tobacco and nicotine-free composition may be imbued with flavors which imitate the taste of tobacco products. As still another example, various other herbal, fruit, and even candy flavors may be added to the composition as desired by way of flavor extracts, oils, and other flavoring liquids known to those skilled in the art.

As such, it should be clear that various additional flavoring compounds may alternatively or in combination with one another comprise the composition to appeal to the olfactory and gustatory interests of possible users of the composition.

Indeed, the composition may comprise any flavor without departing from the invention.

One or more of the above-disclosed embodiments, in addition to certain alternatives, are provided in further detail below with reference to the attached figures. The disclosed subject matter is not, however, limited to any particular embodiment disclosed.

Several advantages of one or more aspects are to provide a tobacco substitute composition that:

-   -   (a) eliminates addictive ingredients;     -   (b) reduces risks associated with inhaling tar, arsenic, lead         and other harmful elements comprising tobacco;     -   (c) maintains gratifying social rituals while reducing health         risks associated with participation in such rituals;     -   (d) utilizes an otherwise wasted by-product of apple processing         industries; and     -   (e) comprises a natural fibrous substrate.

One or more of the above-disclosed embodiments, in addition to certain alternatives, are provided in further detail below with reference to the attached figures. The disclosed subject matter is not, however, limited to any particular embodiment disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to exemplary preferred embodiments of the invention. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

In an embodiment, a fibrous substrate is provided as apple pomace comprising about 15 to about 25 weight percent of the tobacco substitute composition. It may be moisturized and even flavored by soaking the fibrous substrate in a combination of glycerin, comprising about 40 to about 55 weight percent of the composition, and fructose, comprising about 20 to about 30 weight percent of the composition. Additional ingredients, such as for example, artificial or natural flavoring or flavor additives commonly available in the marketplace, coloring such as artificial or natural food coloring, and even preservative ingredients may, combined, comprise and about 3 to about 12 weight percent of the composition.

More particularly, the composition may comprise about 2.5 to about 7.5 weight percent flavoring, about 0.5 to about 2 weight percent preservative, and about 0.5 to about 2.5 weight percent coloring. While the amount of flavor, preservative, and coloring comprises a relatively small percentage of the overall composition, it should be noted that the amount of each may vary as long as preservative is provided in at least an effective amount to prevent decomposition or microbial growth, or other undesirable changes in the tobacco substitute composition for at least about several weeks or months, which may be about 3 months, 6 months, 12 months, or even more. In some embodiments, this amount may be as little as about 0.1 weight percent to as much as about 5 weight percent of the composition, however, the duration of preservation should not limit the invention. Moreover, it may be desirable to avoid the use of preservative, as well as artificial or natural coloring additives, all together and thus the absence of such ingredients should not be seen to limit the invention.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

Examples of the Preferred Embodiment of the Composition

In order to more fully teach what the Applicant regards as its invention, the following example is given. It should be understood that the formulations set forth in the Example is not to be construed as limiting of the scope of the invention, except so far as they yield a tobacco substitute having the desired properties and characteristics.

Certain compositions of tobacco substitutes have been proposed in the past. More particularly, and by way of example, the following chart illustrates a formulation of the same with the percentages given by weight of the composition.

Example 1

Ingredient Percentage Cellulosic paper 10.0 Humectant 82.0 Flavoring agent 8.0 TOTAL: 100.00%

The following ingredients comprise one example of Applicant's invention with the percentages being given by weight of the composition:

Ingredient Percentage Apple Pomace 20.0 Glycerin 45.0 Fructose 30.0 Flavor 3.0 Preservative 1.0 Coloring 1.0 TOTAL: 100.00%

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).

The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems, and may not necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the tobacco substitute composition with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the tobacco substitute composition to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed system, method and apparatus. The above description of embodiments of the tobacco substitute composition is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage.

While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the method, system, and apparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

While certain aspects of the method and system disclosed are presented below in particular claim forms, various aspects of the method, system, and apparatus are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the tobacco substitute composition. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tobacco substitute, comprising: apple pomace; glycerin; fructose; and flavor.
 2. The tobacco substitute of claim 1, further comprising preservative.
 3. The tobacco substitute of claim 1, further comprising coloring.
 4. The tobacco substitute of claim 2, wherein the preservative is provided in an effective amount comprising about 0.5 wt. % to about 1 wt. %.
 5. The tobacco substitute of claim 1, wherein the apple pomace is heated in water, fermented, and dehydrated prior to incorporation in the tobacco substitute.
 6. A tobacco substitute, comprising: 15 to 25 wt. % apple pomace; 40 to 55 wt. % glycerin; 20 to 30 wt. % fructose; and 2.5 to 7.5 wt % flavor.
 7. The tobacco substitute of claim 6, further comprising 0.5 to 1 wt. % preservative.
 8. The tobacco substitute of claim 6, further comprising 1 to 2.5 wt. % coloring.
 9. The tobacco substitute of claim 7, wherein the the preservative comprises about 0.5 to about 1.0 wt. %.
 10. The tobacco substitute of claim 8 wherein the coloring comprises about 1 to about 2.5 wt. %.
 11. The tobacco substitute of claim 6, wherein the apple pomace is heated in water, fermented, and dehydrated prior to incorporation in the tobacco substitute. 